Ohanaeze Ndigbo to elect new leadership amid controversy

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is set to elect its new leadership today at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, with no fewer than 300 delegates expected to cast their votes.

The election, which will determine the group’s leadership for the next four years, could mark a historic first with a candidate from Rivers State likely emerging as the President General under the group’s rotational leadership arrangement.

The zoning formula, designed to ensure equitable representation among the seven Igbo-speaking states, has allocated key leadership roles as follows: President General: Rivers State; Deputy President General: Abia State; Secretary-General: Anambra State; National Legal Adviser: Ebonyi State; National Treasurer: Enugu State; National Publicity Secretary: Imo State

Additionally, each state, except Rivers and Abia, is slated to produce a Vice President for the organization.

The outgoing President General, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu of Imo State, has served a brief but impactful tenure, succeeding the late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Prof. George Obiozor, both of whom also hailed from Imo State but tragically passed away while in office.

The election process has not been without controversy. A faction within Ohanaeze Ndigbo recently announced Jackson Omenazu as the President General, alongside 10 other executives, raising questions about the legitimacy of today’s exercise.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has thrown its weight behind the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, endorsing him for the role of President General.

COSEYL’s President, Goodluck Ibem, and Woman Leader, Evelyn Okere Onyung, described Okiro as a capable leader with a proven track record of excellence in previous assignments.

READ ALSO: Ohanaeze apologizes, calls for renewed peace, as IPOB kill soldiers in Abia on Biafra Heroes Day

In his farewell message, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu reiterated his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of power to Rivers State’s candidate.

He also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to resolve insecurity in the South East and revitalize the region’s industries to create employment opportunities for the youth.

He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to restoring peace, combining kinetic and non-kinetic methods, and urged stakeholders to prioritize the needs of young people. “Though my tenure has been brief, what matters is the impact and legacy with which we will be remembered,” Chukwu said.

Advertisement

He also stressed the importance of integrity in leadership, highlighting the rigorous selection process for screening, appeals, and electoral committees for today’s election.

As delegates converge in Enugu, all eyes are on the election outcome, which will shape the trajectory of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the coming years. Will the organization overcome its internal challenges to emerge stronger, or will factional disputes overshadow this historic moment? The day’s proceedings hold the answer.cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, elects its new leadership for another four years.

Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, the last occupant of the President General seat, hails from Imo State. He succeeded the late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and the late Prof. George Obiozor, all of whom were from Imo State but died in office.

But today’s election is already riddled with challenges as a faction of the group, a few days ago, announced Jackson Omenazu as the President General with 10 others as its national executive members.

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), yesterday, endorsed the aspiration of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The group said that Okiro has what it takes to move the organisation to greater heights, stressing that he had excelled in previous assignments.

President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, in a statement he endorsed with the woman leader, Mrs Evelyn Okere Onyung, said Okiro is eminently qualified for the office and should be elected.

HOWEVER, the incumbent President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, has reaffirmed his commitment to handing over the reins of power to an indigene of Rivers State today, Friday, January 10, 2025.